Marilynn Williams

1924 - 2011

Marilynn Williams

Greenville

Marilynn Williams was born February 29, 1924 in Lavonia, GA, to A.B. and Maude McCarter Clarke. Like her parents, she was a life-long educator who touched the lives of generations of children and adults.

Marilynn was loved by many family, friends, and colleagues who feel grieved by her death on May 22, 2011, but rejoice in knowing she is in the loving arms of our Lord and Savior.

A graduate of Lander College and Master Graduate from Columbia Teachers College in New York City, Mrs. Williams started her teaching career at Carnesville Georgia Elementary School and later at Monaview Elementary in Greenville. After teaching with the Department of Defense schools in Kaiserslautern, Germany for two years, she returned to South Carolina to open Grove Elementary as its principal. Later she became principal of Plain Elementary in Simpsonville, where she served until her retirement. After retirement, she continued to impact education by directing the kindergarten program at Buncombe Street Methodist Church and supervised student teachers at Furman University.

Many honors were bestowed upon her, including South Carolina's 1985 Educator of the Year, The Order of the Palmetto, South Carolina Principal of the Year, and National Principal of the Year in 1989. However, her greatest accomplishment was the love and devotion she gave to her family by creating a lasting legacy of love.

Loving caregiver and niece, Candy Clarke, devoted the past several years caring for her in her home, aided by Donna Garren, Tina Rice, and Kevin Camden.

Additionally, she is survived by her daughter, Brenda Joyce Williams (Wayne Gerold) of Grand Prairie, TX; a sister Mildred Hart of Lancaster, SC; sisters-in-law, Patsy Clarke of Raleigh, NC, and Dot Williams of Dacusville, SC; her grandchildren, Denise Davis (Bill) of Kansas City, KS; Dianne Fidelibus (Jim) of Columbus, Ohio; Angela Vail (Johnny) of Irving, TX; Anthony Brewer (Cheryl) of Apex, NC; Tonya Trub (Charles) of Littleton, CO; and Ron Grantham (Rhonda), of Columbus, OH; her great grandchildren, David Herold of Reno, NV; Anthony Milton of Irving, TX; Gloria McCallum and Robert Fidelibus, of Columbus OH; Hannah, Caitlin, and Mark Brewer, of Apex, NC; Eli, Jerrod, Delia, and Katie Grantham of Columbus, OH; and Ryland Trub of Littleton, CO; and nieces and nephews Ann Hammond and son Seth; Cynthia Clarke; Albert Bond Clarke (Maggie) and children Bond and Addison; Bruce Clarke (Diana) and children Megan, Erin, and Alan; Judy Clarke (Speedy); Claudia Wells (Kendrick) and children Nancy and Kendrick IV; Richard Hart Jr. (Janet) and children, Chase and Jay; Emily Jordan (Alan) and children Alison Garzon (John), and son Alex and Amy Ladd (Phillip); Alicia Hinson (Jimmy) and children Clarke Hinson and Ashley DeMooney (Clayton) and children, Tatum and Mattie; Melanie Jones (Jerome) and children Cameron and Mallory, and her longtime friend Mari Morris-Smith.

Marilynn was preceded in death by her parents; her beloved husband, Hoke G. Williams; a daughter, Betty Jo Williams; a sister, Marguerite Hammond; two brothers, Harry W. Clarke, and A.B. Clarke; a nephew, Mark R. Clarke; brothers-in-law, Richard Hart, Sr., Ralph, Kenneth, and Glen Williams; Henry Jackson; sisters-in-law, Edna Earl Jackson, Eva Sue Williams, Jill Williams, and Nancy Clarke.

Visitation will be Wednesday, May 25, 2011 from 6:00 -8:00 p.m. at Thomas McAfee Funeral Home Northwest.

A memorial service will be held at 10:30 a.m. on Thursday, May 26, 2011 in the chapel of the funeral home.

Memorials may be made to Open Arms Hospice, 1836 West Georgia Road, Simpsonville, SC 29680.

Condolences may be made to the family by visiting www.thomasmcafee.com.